Meghan Markle's estranged dad Thomas wants to 'hear from her' and meet grandchildren before 80th birthday
ROSARITO, MEXICO: The one birthday call that Meghan Markle's estranged father, who is soon turning 80, said he longs for comes from his estranged daughter, but he is worried that there is no chance of reconciliation.
Thomas Markle has openly stated his desire to make amends with his daughter in a passionate and perhaps desperate plea. He added that he felt a great deal of "empathy" for the King of England and that he would be delighted to speak with him. Thomas told the Daily Mail on June 23, that they both struggle with poor health and are unable to meet their grandchildren Archie and Lilibet.
Thomas Markle hopes to hear from Meghan and Harry
Thomas and his daughter Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, became distant as a result of his inability to accompany her down the aisle at her marriage to Prince Harry in 2018 due to two heart attacks he suffered days before.
He hasn't been in contact with the pair since. He's never met his grandchildren Lilibet, 3, and Archie, 5, either.
Speaking from his cliffside home in Rosarito, Mexico, Thomas lamented, "I’ve had a good life and I am proud of what I’ve accomplished, but everything has been overshadowed by what has happened in the last six years."
"I’ve never been one for birthdays, but I know the one person I most want to hear from, Meghan, won’t be in touch. I would love to meet my grandchildren, but I would be happy with a photograph at this stage."
Despite being only 250 miles away from the Sussexes' 16-bathroom property in Montecito, California, Thomas remains baffled that he has never met his son-in-law.
"When I reflect back on my life, as you do when you are approaching 80, that’s one of the questions I cannot find an answer for," Thomas added.
Thomas added, "Why didn’t Harry ever come to meet me? He has the resources to fly around the world – and does – but why didn’t he come to see me, particularly when people in the royal household like Jason Knauf [Harry and Meghan’s former communications secretary] were urging him to do so?"
"That has never made sense to me. What man gets married without meeting his wife’s father?"
Meghan Markle's estranged dad Thomas compares himself to King Charles
In the interview, Thomas went on to compare himself to King Charles, pointing out that both of them are dealing with health concerns while being cut off from the Duchess of Sussex and her husband, Prince Harry, 39.
The retired TV lighting director told the Daily Mail of Charles, who was given a cancer diagnosis in February, "I would love to speak to him because I am sure he has as many unanswered questions as I do."
"Neither of us deserves the treatment we’ve received. He is going through cancer treatment and I’m not in the best of health. I’m not afraid of dying. It is what it is," he continued.
Thomas, 79, claimed that he had "deep empathy" for Charles, 75, saying that he is "in the same boat" as him.
"I have so many questions I’d like to ask Meghan and Harry. The main one being, why have they treated not only me but the Royal Family and the King so badly," Thomas exclaimed.
Thomas Markle expressed desire to meet grandkids
The Daytime Emmy winner made note of the fact that he has not yet met Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, 3, who were both born after he damaged his relationship with Meghan, 42.
He said, "They have two grandpas who want to see them, one of whom is the king of England. I never in my 80 years thought I’d be in the same boat as the king."
Archie and Lilibet, he added, are "getting to the age where they will start asking questions," so Thomas believes it will not be long before they "realize all the things they have missed out on" as a result of Harry and Meghan leaving their royal duties in 2020 to move to the US.
The former photography director revealed that despite knowing Meghan "won’t be in touch," his only birthday hope is to hear from her.
Despite criticizing the Sussexes in public over the years, he maintained, "I wish we could have worked this situation out. I was always ready and willing to do that."
Meghan and Harry have maintained a close connection with her mother, Doria Ragland, after moving back to her home state of California, per Page Six. However, they have avoided visiting or conversing with her father, who never met his royal son-in-law.
Thomas will spend his 80th birthday on July 18 with his son Tom Jr. and over the phone with his eldest daughter Samantha, who is unable to fly from her home in Florida to be with him due to health issue.
